McCraken Fine After Davis Score

Whitham Thoroughbreds' 'TDN Rising Star' McCraken (Ghostzapper), who ran his record to a perfect four-for-four with a rallying victory in Saturday's GIII Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs, emerged from the race in fine condition, trainer Ian Wilkes reported Sunday. The colt notched the second graded stakes win of his career and earned 10 qualifying points toward a spot in the starting gate in the May 6 GI Kentucky Derby.

“He came out good [Sunday] morning,” Wilkes reported. “He got back late last night, so he just walked in the morning. I'll watch him closely over the next few days, just to make sure he's okay and that it didn't take too much out of him. We'll see how he responds.”

Wilkes said McCraken will likely return to Tampa Bay for the Mar. 11 GII Tampa Bay Derby, a race he won in 2007 as an assistant to trainer Carl Nafzger with champion Street Sense (Street Cry {Ire}), who went on to capture the Kentucky Derby.

“The timing is right in my wheelhouse right now,” Wilkes said, adding that the colt will likely have two more preps for the Run for the Roses, if all goes according to plan.

Winner of the Oct. 30 Street Sense S. and the Nov. 26 GII Kentucky Jockey Club S., McCraken engulfed the field on the far turn with an eye-catching rally and pulled clear to score by 1 1/2 lengths over Tapwrit (Tapit) in the Sam F. Davis. Wilkes outlined a number of factors that made the victory all the more impressive to him.

“Any time you're watching the races all day, and speed is winning on the inside, it makes it a little bit of a concern,” the Aussie conditioner said. “And then you're giving six pounds to most of the horses in the race, you have to be a little concerned. But I'm very pleased, because I knew I didn't have him 110% for this race. But I knew he was ready to run. I was really ticked pink with his performance. Very happy for him, very happy for the owners.”